Toilet Fastening Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A toilet seat fastening apparatus for use in tightening a toilet seat with a bolt having a plurality of bolt threads to a porcelain toilet bowl that defines a bolt hole, includes a body member having a channel extending between upper and lower ends that is configured to receive the bolt therethrough. The channel includes channel threads complementary to the bolt threads. The body member includes a central portion having a pair of opposed flanges extending outwardly and configured to be grasped by a user&#39;s fingers. The body member includes an upper portion situated atop the central portion having a diameter complementary to a diameter of the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole so as to be selectively positioned therein. The body member may include a lower portion situated below the central portion and configured to be engaged by a wrench. The upper, central, and lower portions have a unitary construction.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit ofprovisional application Ser. No. 61/731,516 filed on Nov. 30, 2012,titled Toilet Fastening Apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to fastening devices and, moreparticularly, to a fastening apparatus configured to quickly andsecurely fasten a toilet seat to a porcelain toilet bowl of a type thatdefines one or more bolt holes.

Toilet seats are conventionally attached to a porcelain toilet bowl witha toilet seat bolt that is inserted through a toilet bowl bolt hole andtightened down. Unfortunately, the toilet seat tends to become looseover time if the bolt and corresponding nut are not kept in a tight andsecure relationship. A loose toilet seat is very undesirable in that aloose toilet seat may result in injury to a user. For instance, a personmay be thrown off balance when attempting to be seated on an unstableand loose toilet seat resulting in falling off the seat or strainingmuscles while attempting to keep from falling. Keeping the bolt/nutcombination tightened may be a time consuming process as it may requirea traditional or socket wrench be used repeatedly to tighten the nutonto the elongate toilet seat bolt.

Various fastener devices have been proposed in the prior art for keepinga toilet seat safe and secure. Although assumably effective for theirintended purposes, the existing products and proposals do not provide afastening apparatus that is both easy and fast to hand tighten, to alsosecurely tighten with a wrench, and to eliminate an undesirably loosefit within the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a toilet seat fasteningapparatus that provides each of the limitations found absent orinadequate in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toilet seat fastening apparatus for use in tightening a toilet seatwith a bolt having a plurality of bolt threads to a porcelain toiletbowl that defines a bolt hole, includes a body member having a channelextending between upper and lower ends that is configured to receive thebolt therethrough. The channel includes channel threads complementary tothe bolt threads. The body member includes a central portion having apair of opposed flanges extending outwardly and configured to be graspedby a user's fingers. The body member includes an upper portion situatedatop the central portion having a diameter complementary to a diameterof the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole so as to be selectivelypositioned therein. The body member may include a lower portion situatedbelow the central portion and configured to be engaged by a wrench. Theupper, central, and lower portions have a unitary construction.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a toiletseat fastening apparatus for quickly and securely fastening a toiletseat to a porcelain toilet bowl.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toilet seat fasteningapparatus, as aforesaid, having a structure that enables a user tosubstantially mount and finger-tighten the apparatus to a toilet seatbolt with his fingers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a toilet seatfastening apparatus, as aforesaid, having structure that enables a userto tightly secure the apparatus to the toilet bolt with a wrench.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a toilet seatfastening apparatus, as aforesaid, in which an upper portion isconfigured to become lodged in a porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole and,thus, stabilize a toilet seat bolt extending therethrough.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toilet seat fasteningapparatus, as aforesaid, in which a finger-tightening structure and awrench-tightening structure are integrally connected.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a toilet seatfastening apparatus, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and economical toproduce.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration andexample, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat fastening apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in use witha toilet seat bolt;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from another angle of the toilet seatfastening apparatus as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toilet seat fastening apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present invention in use with atoilet seat bolt;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the toilet seat fastening apparatus as inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the toilet seat fasteningapparatus as in FIG. 1 showing the fastening apparatus partially removedfrom the toilet seat fastening bolt;

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of the toilet seat fastening apparatus inuse on a toilet; and

FIG. 6 b is an isolated view of the toilet seat fastening apparatus onan enlarged scale taken from FIG. 6 a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. As referenced in FIG. 1, thefastening apparatus 10 includes a body member 12 configured to receive atoilet seat fastening bolt 30, the body member 12 having an upperportion 16, central portion 20, and lower portion 24. The fasteningapparatus 10 positions over at least one bolt hole defined by aporcelain toilet bowl 8, and provides a framework for the toilet seatfastening bolt 30 to pass through. In this manner, a toilet seat 9 maybe secured onto a porcelain toilet bowl 8.

The body member 12 includes a channel 13 that extends along alongitudinal axis of the toilet seat fastening apparatus 10. The channel13 is configured to receive the toilet seat bolt 30. The channel 13includes a plurality of channel threads complementary to the pluralityof bolt threads 36 so that the body member 12 is selectively threadablyreceived onto the toilet seat bolt 30. However, in other embodiments,the toilet seat bolt 30 may secure into the channel through other means,including, without limitation, frictional relationships, magnets, wingsnuts, and screws.

Toilet seats are conventionally attached to the porcelain toilet bowlwith a toilet seat fastening bolt 30 having an upper end 32, a lower end34, and having a plurality of bolt threads 36 extending therebetween(FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the toilet seat bolt 30 may include arigid longitudinal axis efficacious for securing the toilet seat to thetoilet bowl 8. Suitable materials for the toilet seat fastening bolt 30may include, without limitation, steel, aluminum, metal alloy, highdensity polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rigid plastic, foam, andfiberglass. In some embodiments, the toilet seat bolt 30 may include anantibacterial surface. The porcelain toilet bowl 8 may define at leastone but preferably two bolt holes through which the toilet seat bolt maybe inserted and tightened with a nut in a manner that sandwiches atoilet seat flange. The toilet seat 9 may pivotally lift and lower ontothe toilet bowl 8, even while secured with the toilet seat fasteningapparatus 10.

The central portion 20 of the body member 12 includes a central portionlower end 21 and a central portion upper end 22 (FIG. 4). A pair ofopposed flanges 23 extend outwardly from a main section of the centralportion 20, and are configured to be grasped by a user's fingers. Eachflange 23 may have a generally triangular or hemispherical shape thatdcan be easily grasped. The central portion 20 provides the surface bywhich the toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 may be oriented andmanipulated into a desired position.

The central portion 20 includes a diameter greater than a diameter ofthe bolt hole so as not to be received therein. However, in otherembodiments, the central portion 20 may include a perpendicular flangethat extends outwardly to engage the outer perimeter of the bolt hole,thereby preventing the toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 from passingthrough the bolt hole. In one embodiment, the central portion 20includes a tubular shape configured to receive a round bolt. However, inother embodiments, the central portion 20 may be configured in variousshapes, including, without limitation, a hexagon, a square, and an oval.The central portion 20 may be fabricated from various materials,including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, metal alloy, highdensity polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rigid plastic, foam, andfiberglass.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the fastening apparatus 10 ispartially removed from the toilet seat fastening bolt. The upper portion16 of the body member 12 is situated atop the central portion 20 andincludes an upper portion lower end 17 integrally connected to thecentral portion upper end 22 (FIGS. 1 and 4). In one embodiment, theupper portion lower end 17 may be integrally formed into a unitarycomponent with the central portion upper end 22. However, in anotherembodiment, the upper portion 16 may be detachably coupled to thecentral portion 20. The upper portion 16 is configured to receive thetoilet seat bolt 30, and includes a tubular shape that conforms to theshape of the toilet seat bolt 30. The upper portion 16 includes adiameter complementary to a diameter of the porcelain toilet bowl bolthole so as to be selectively positioned therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the toilet seat fastening apparatus from a bottomview and shows the lower portion 24 of the body member 12 connected to acentral portion lower end 21. Preferably, the lower portion 24 isconfigured to be engaged by a wrench. In this manner, the lower portion24 may be rotatably coupled to the toilet seat fastening bolt 30. Moreparticularly, the lower portion 24 may include a nut. However, in someembodiments, the lower portion 24 may be configured to be rotated by ahand. In yet another embodiment, the lower portion 24 may include awedge shape for securing the toilet seat bolt 30 in a wedged position(not shown). The lower portion 24 may be fabricated from variousmaterials, including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, metal alloy,high density polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rigid plastic, foam, andfiberglass.

An alternative embodiment of the toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 isshown in FIG. 3 and includes a substantially similar configuration asthe toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 first described except asdescribed below. In this embodiment, the body member upper portion 16includes a plurality of discs 18 slightly spaced apart from one another(FIG. 3). Each disc 18 is situated atop a lowerly adjacent disc 18. Theplurality of spaced apart flexible discs 18 is configured to conform toa configuration of the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole when receivedtherein. In this manner, a friction fit relationship is formed betweenthe upper portion 16, and the bolt hole. Each disc 18 may position abovethe other to reinforce the friction fit relationship. Each disc 18 mayhave variably sized diameters that ascend or descend along alongitudinal axis of the upper portion 16. In one embodiment, the upperportion 16 includes a generally cylindrical configuration and isconstructed of a generally resilient material. However, in otherembodiments, the upper portion 16 may be fabricated from variousmaterials, including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, metal alloy,high density polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, rigid plastic, foam, andfiberglass. In yet another alternative embodiment, the upper portion 16may attach with the bolt hole through other means, including, withoutlimitation, a wedge shape, a magnet, a threaded portion, and a wingednut.

In use, the toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 may be selectively andremovably coupled to a toilet seat bolt 30 in a manner so as to morequickly and more securely secure a toilet seat to a porcelain toiletbowl 8. The toilet seat fastening apparatus 10 is initially positionedover a toilet bolt hole. The toilet fastening seat bolt 30 is positionedover the body member 12 and the toilet bolt hole. The toilet seat 9 ischecked to assure proper alignment with the channel 13 in the bodymember 12. The toilet seat bolt 30 may then rotate through the channeland the toilet bolt hole until the toilet seat bolt 30 is flush againstthe upper portion 17. If the plurality of spaced apart flexible discs 18is incorporated into the upper portion 16, each disc 18 should flexupwardly while pressing against the bolt hole.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet seat fastening apparatus for use intightening a toilet seat with a seat fastening bolt having a pluralityof bolt threads to a porcelain toilet bowl that defines a bolt hole,said fastening apparatus comprising: a body member having an upper endand an opposed lower end and defining a channel extending longitudinallytherebetween that is configured to receive the bolt, said channel havinga plurality of channel threads complementary to the plurality of boltthreads so that said body member is selectively threadably received ontothe seat fastening bolt; wherein said body member includes: a centralportion having a pair of opposed flanges extending outwardly andconfigured to be grasped by a user's fingers; and an upper portionsituated atop said central portion having a diameter complementary to adiameter of the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole so as to be selectivelypositioned therein.
 2. The fastening apparatus as in claim 1, whereinsaid body member includes a lower portion situated below said centralportion and configured to be engaged by a wrench, whereby, to berotatably coupled to the seat fastening bolt.
 3. The fastening apparatusas in claim 1, wherein said central, upper, and lower portions of saidbody member include a unitary construction such that all portions areselectively rotated simultaneously relative to the bolt.
 4. Thefastening apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said lower portion of saidbody member is a nut having a hexagonal configuration.
 5. The fasteningapparatus as in claim 1, wherein said central portion of said bodymember includes a diameter that is larger than the diameter of theporcelain toilet bowl bolt hole so as not to be received therein.
 6. Thefastening apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said central portion of saidbody member is immediately adjacent the porcelain toilet bowl bolt holewhen said upper portion of said body member is situated within theporcelain toilet bowl bolt hole.
 7. The fastening apparatus as in claim1, wherein said central portion of said body member includes a mainsection having a generally cylindrical configuration, said pair ofopposed flanges extending outwardly from said main section.
 8. Thefastening apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said upper portion of saidbody member includes a generally cylindrical configuration and isconstructed of a generally resilient material.
 9. The fasteningapparatus as in claim 1, wherein said upper portion of said body memberincludes a generally cylindrical configuration and is constructed of agenerally resilient material.
 10. The fastening apparatus as in claim 2,wherein said upper portion of said body member includes a plurality ofspaced apart flexible discs, said plurality of discs configured toconform in a friction fit engagement to a configuration of the porcelaintoilet bowl bolt hole when received therein.
 11. The fastening apparatusas in claim 1, wherein said upper portion of said body member includes aplurality of spaced apart flexible discs, said plurality of discsconfigured to conform to a configuration of the porcelain toilet bowlbolt hole when received therein.
 12. The fastening apparatus as in claim11, wherein each disc includes a diameter greater than a diameter of theporcelain toilet bowl bolt hole such said plurality of discs aresituated in the porcelain toilet bowl bolt hole in a friction fitrelationship when received therein.